Middy’s brochure…. for the internet age!

Middy International have made a breakthrough on the internet by launching an online brochure that has the inbuilt facility to view product videos and buy kit from retailers.

Middy's new online brochure has special clickable features.

There are interesting features on a mix of products, and how to use them, with the emphasis very firmly on commercial match carp.

Useful supporting videos – via the click of a button from the brochure’s online pages –  include elasticating a pole, feeder and float fishing.

And a click can also take you to preferred retailers, should you wish to buy there and then.

To see Middy’s new online brochure for yourself click HERE

The illuminated wheel is just one innovative feature in Nash's forthcoming Siren alarm.

Kevin Nash gave away the background on the secret project to this Angler’s Mail magazine, and said: ‘Next to the Titan (bivvy), this is the project that has excited me the most.’ 

The Nash Siren RS-1 is claimed to be the most advanced bite indication system in the world. 

A big and highly revealing interview with Kevin Nash will appear in Angler’s Mail magazine on sale August 10. It could change the way YOU fish!

SHAKESPEARE SCALE

£16
Identical to the Ron Thompson Dyna Scales, but reading 50 lb and 22 kg in 8 oz and 200 gr divisions respectively, and as such suited only to giving a rough indication of weight, which it did adequately with the test weights. Tough, corrosion-resistant casing that will withstand crushing in a rucksack, but too large for the pocket and roving sessions. The handle is rubberised and easy to grip, and is complemented with a large, secure weigh-hook, but there is no zeroing facility. Price comparison with the Ron Thompson model is not favourable.
SCORE: 15/30

DAIWA MISSION SCALE

£14.99
Dial scale reading 25 kg in 100 gr divisions and 55 lb in 4 oz divisions, which is possibly not sensitive enough for many anglers, and readings on my test weights were at variance to other models. Robust metal case is very heavy, and unsuited to stalking or roving. The face will scratch with time, as Perspex-type faces tend to do. The hand grip and weigh hook are both detachable and likely to be mislaid, but there is an easily adjusted screw for zeroing weigh slings.
SCORE: 17/30

RON THOMPSON DYNA SCALE

£9.99
Tubular, spring-tensioned scales in tough, corrosion resistant casing, but too large to be considered a pocket balance for the roving angler. Weighs to 25 lb in 4 oz and 11 kg in 100 gr divisions, which is possibly not sensitive enough for river specialists but proved reasonably accurate with my range of test weights. Rubber sheathed handle is easy to grip, and the weigh hook is solid, but there is no way to set zero after a weigh sling is added, which always adds to confusion and inaccuracy.
SCORE: 19/30

SHAKESPEARE DIAL SCALE

£31
Dial scales reading to 35 lb in 1 oz divisions and 16 kg in 25 gr divisions in a tough but heavyweight crush-proof metal casing that is too large for roving but ideal for a rucksack. The perspex face may scratch with time, making reading of the small divisions tricky, but there is a decent storage pouch provided for protection, and a good pointer, a solid weigh hook and a detachable handle hook. Set to zero easily is achieved with a sensitive, knurled knob, and accurate results were obtained.
SCORE: 23/30

REUBEN HEATON LITTLE GEM

£15.99
Tough and compact tubular spring balance supplied in a protective sleeve and ideal for the pocket of the roving angler. Easy to read, recording to 33 lb in 4 oz and 15 kg in 100 gr divisions. Fine for larger fish, but less suited to river specialists. Good zeroing facility assist with weighing accuracy, which was spot on with my test weights, but a substantial weigh sling is required to ensure accuracy, as plastic bags will not do! The hook and hanging point are robust and in stainless steel.
SCORE: 24/30

BEST BUY

CARP KINETICS ELECTRONIC SCALE

£24.99
Compact yet robust digital scale with integral, 100 cm tape, ideal for roving. Simple to operate push buttons include zero facility and low battery warning. Available in matt silver or black with accurate digital readout to 66 lb with one-touch switch to metric. The handle is secure, but the weigh hook, though solid, is on the small side for big slings. The only downside is that pounds are read in decimals rather than as pounds and ounces, but if you are happy with 1.75 lb instead of 1 lb 12 oz then they are terrific!
SCORE: 25/30

NOTE: All products tested October 2008. All prices correct at the time of going to Press. Angler’s Mail do not take responsibility for price or product changes or current availability.

30PLUS KARPULT

£6.50
Moulded camo ’pult with no handle grip. Super strength latex is brutal and finger grip is released early due to this. Swivel mechanism reduces latex twist and is connected to pouch and frame by standard, push-on spigot-style attachments. The pouch is extremely fragile and lacks any fold-over around eyelets. Accurate with singles but multiples need holding within pouch and fell short on distance. Unfortunately the pouch split after minimal use and needs to be redesigned.
SCORE: 17/30

DRENNAN BOILIE

£7.50
A compact, small handled ’pult with a sturdy frame. The ends of the arms are set at 90 degrees for securing latex, which is connected to the large flat pouch by push-on spigot-style attachments. The latex tends to twist around frame after use and also showed slight wear after testing. The pouch has reinforced eyelets and incorporates an easy-to-use finger pull. On testing it performed well on both single boilie accuracy and multiple grouping, but fell well short on distance.
SCORE: 23/30

HOPKINS AND HOLLOWAY SPOT-ON MULTI BOILIE

£9.99
Hollow handle yet rigid frame with comfortable rubber thumb position and grip. Strong latex connected by cable ties to frame. Swivel mechanism reduces twist. Standard push-on spigot style pouch attachment. Medium flat pouch with an easy finger pull base. Accurate firing of single boilies, minimal knuckle rap but multiples need to be held within pouch, reducing distance as well as tight grouping. Boilies falling short on 60-yard distance test.
SCORE: 24/30

ESP BOILIE PULT

£8.95
Rigid framed ’pult with a comfortable grip. Long latex is connected to the pouch as well as the frame by the standard push-on spigot-style attachment. Swivel mechanism incorporated to reduce twist. Boasts a big cone-shaped plastic pouch and easy-to-use finger release at the base. Unfortunately the system caused some serious knuckle rap, which created unease in use and loss of consistency in both single boilie accuracy and grouping of multiples. However, it did easily outfire all the others tested on distance.
SCORE: 24/30

ATOMIC BLACK-KAT

£9.50
The T-shaped frame removes any knuckle rap, which creates confidence in use. A hollow, soft-grip handle and ultra light but sturdy frame with latex holding points set at 90 degrees. The latex connects to the medium flat pouch by push-on spigots. The shallow pouch is folded, with reinforced eyelets and a Velcro finger pull. Good on accuracy and distance, but multiple baits need to be held within pouch, which reduces distance and tight grouping. Latex began to work off frame after tests.
SCORE: 25/30

BEST BUY

FOX MEGA DISTANCE

£8.99
Well thought out and certainly made to last, this was also the only one to incorporate a power guard that completely eliminates any knuckle rap. A solid, comfortable rubber handle with screw-on tops that house the pin-and-ring elastic connectors. The latex is a couple of inches shorter than most, and connects through the moulded cone pouch, which has an easy to use finger grip at its base. It scored highly on single boilie accuracy and tight boilie grouping, but fell well short on the distance test.
SCORE: 27/30

NOTE: All products tested April 2010. All prices correct at the time of going to Press. Angler’s Mail do not take responsibility for price or product changes or current availability.

JRC PVA MESH

£15.99. 5 m refill £5.99
Another dual system containing 5 m of no-ladder 37.5 mm standard mesh and 23.5 mm micromesh PVA that allows a multitude of uses from pellets to stick mixes. The inner tubes containing the PVA have the odd sharp spot that needs to be removed to avoid bag splitting. The precise twin ended plunger fits both tubes and everything is contained within a rigid, clear tube. The PVA took quite a time to start dissolving compared to others at 42 seconds and was expensive at £1.59 per metre.
SCORE: 23/30

GARDNER EASI-LOADA

£14.99. 5 m refills £4.99
A dual system containing 5 m of 24 mm boilie PVA and 5 m of standard 37 mm all-season micromesh PVA. When measuring the length of PVA on each tube, it was revealed that both contained just over 6 m! Supplied within a double-capped green container the PVA showed no signs of splitting on bag making, even though the ends of each tube were slightly ragged. The plunger is multi-functioning to suit both sizes of mesh. Bags in test water started to dissolve at 29 seconds. Dual systems of Fishnet PVA also available.
SCORE: 27/30

ESP PVA MESH

£6.99. 6 m refills £3.65.
6 m length systems available in both 20 mm and 25 mm sizes with plunger all contained within a compact, press top tube. The inner tubes are tapered for easy filling and there are no sharp edges to be found, so no wastage. Branded plungers are sturdy, precise and have divisions on allowing the creation of uniformed bags. Bags placed in water started breaking down in just 18 seconds, the second quickest tested. A 32 mm PVA mesh system is available incorporating an easy-fill funnel.
SCORE: 27/30

NASH WEBCAST

£4.99-£5.99. 5 m refills £3.99-£4.99.
Webcast comes on 5 m tubes in either 28 mm or 44 mm sizes. Supplied within no-frill tubes the system comes without a plunger but does show visual instructions on the label how to create bags. The PVA has a close weave and a controlled, low distortion breakdown. When the bags were tested they were the quickest to start dissolving in just 10 seconds and more to the point left very little residue. The best PVA without a doubt but the packaging, especially the sharp inner tube lets it down.
SCORE: 27/30

FOX PVA MESH

£8.99. 10 m refills £6.99, 25 m refills £16.99.
10 m systems are available in 25 mm narrow and 35 mm wide, fine or heavy PVA. The no frills inner tubes have a simple o-ring that stops the PVA spilling, The end did have the odd sharp points that need removing to avoid any bag splitting. Supplied with plunger that does have some movement within the tube. Everything is supplied in the usual double capped tube. Bags started dissolving in 35 seconds. Bag tying instructions are visibly shown on the outside label.
SCORE: 28/30

BEST BUY

KORDA ORIGINAL FUNNEL WEB

£9.99. 5 m refill £5.99. 20 m refill £19.99.
As soon as you pick the olive green, screw top container, the system oozes quality. The inner tube contains 7 m of 27 mm, 4–Season Hexmesh and care has been taken to avoid wastage by removing every sharp edge. The tapered top avoids spillage when loading and the sturdy, comfortable grip precise plunger eliminates any wastage. With 7 m of PVA on the tube it does tend to spill off but this is a minor technicality. Bags started to dissolve in 32 seconds. Also available in Micromesh.
SCORE: 29/30

NOTE: All products tested May 2010. All prices correct at the time of going to Press. Angler’s Mail do not take responsibility for price or product changes or current availability.

MAVER ABYSS

£45
A basic carp rod, designed with the beginner with a tight budget, rung for distance with ‘put-over’ matt grey blank. This rod needs a re-think: very basic build; not sure about the bronze whippings; not much thought has gone into the looks of the rod and it doesn’t compete with the other rods in the group. The Abyss lacks any real backbone, with a floppy action. Casting a 3 oz lead with this rod made me nervous. But it is the cheapest in the group.
SCORE: 21/30

FOX WARRIOR

£59
Slim matt grey blank, SiC guides, non-slip handle, line clip, with nice understated minimalist looks. Competitive entry-level rod from tackle legends Fox. Minimalist, modern looks complete with line clip and non-slip Duplon/shrink tube handle. Slightly tip heavy, so better suited to pit reels. Pleasing soft tip action makes for a forgiving playing curve with bags of power in the butt when you need it. Looks are not as cutting edge as some in the group, but saying that it’s a very classy product. Well worth a try.
SCORE: 25/30

GRAUVELL SC CARP FX 360

£59.99
Made with 100 per cent high modulus carbon. Sexy looks, nice through action rod, whippings could have been neater, but overall build quality is very good. Stainless steel spigot reinforcer rings, SiC guides and good non-slip, slim-line handle are a nice touch. A lovely players’ rod, with a nice forgiving action, not the best casting rod in the group, but certainly not the worst and will cast a
3 oz lead, Method feeder or PVA bag a good distance. Slightly tip heavy, would suit big pit reels over standard free-spools. A strong contender with modern looks and performance to match.
SCORE: 26/30

TFG MAX POWER

£49.99
Matt black carbon blank, balanced action SiC guides, Duplon abbreviated handle. Despite its dated looks, which really need to be addressed, it’s a really pleasant rod to use. Boasting a super slim blank, great playing curve and forgiving tip, it isn’t a casting rod, but for the occasional carper who isn’t fussed about the latest trends and fashions, this is a great choice. Priced at under 50 quid, and with a lifetime guarantee it’s a cracking rod none the less. If TFG sort out the rather dated appearance, they have a potential class leader on their hands.
SCORE: 26/30

JRC J4

£50
Features a slim, matt finished blank, SiC guides, custom-made handle and put-over joint. This is one for you Tackle Tarts out there. Jaw dropping looks, with a very flash reel seat that even features leatherette! It performs very well but not the greatest casting rod in the group as it lacks a bit of backbone when compressed compared to the Daiwa or the ProLogic. It plays fish very well close-in though. Balance is very good, not too heavy and rung for distance with quality SiC guides. I think this will be a top seller, looking the part and handling like a rod twice its price.
SCORE: 27/30

CORMORAN PRO CARP ELIMINATOR

£54.99
Slim carbon blank, spigot joint, minimal and stylish looks, SiC guides, non-slip handle. Very high quality spigotted rod with expensive looks. The Kevlar style seat is eye catching and adds a touch of class. Understated and subtle graphics. Great balance with pit reels makes this rod a serious contender in this group. A joy to use and a true players’ rod with a very pleasing through action. It’s not the ultimate casting rod as there is a slight softness in the backbone, but this is not a bad thing, because what it does, it does very well. Superb for the price.
SCORE: 28/30

DAIWA REGAL X

£54.99
Medium to fast taper gloss carbon blank, Aluminium Oxide guides, low profile soft touch grips, half hood Fuji FPS reel seat. This rod is superb, with all the feel and quality of top-flight Daiwa offerings. A pleasure to use. You can feel the quality the moment you pick it up. The balance is perfect with a pit reel but it still feels balanced with a medium model. A great casting rod too, as the blank is quite tippy with a rather stiff backbone, but not overly. It’s nice to see a quality fast taper rod in this price bracket. A cracking players rod too.
SCORE: 29/30

BEST BUY

PROLOGIC CLASSIC CARP

£49.99
Lightweight and slim high modulus carbon blank, SiC guides, Fuji reel seat, put-over joint. What a stunner! Simply amazing value. Super slim blank, superb gloss finish reminiscent of the early Sportex and Harrison rods. Drop dead looks, perfect whippings, great non-slip handle that looks the biz. Has the appearance of a much more expensive rod, punches well above its weight. Very responsive with great recovery when casting, but still having a soft enough tip for delicate fish playing. This rod is an obvious choice for a budget long distance rod or one to buy for the occasional foreign trip.
SCORE: 30/30

NOTE: All products tested May 2009. All prices correct at the time of going to Press. Angler’s Mail do not take responsibility for price or product changes or current availability.